Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 versus rival model with similar score

Further readings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Panasonic’s latest iteration of the LX series premium compact eschews the usual 1/1.7-inch sensor for the larger Micro-Four-Thirds type found the firm’s mirrorless models. It also has a Leica 24-75mm f1.7-2.8 zoom, a traditional rangefinder style top plate with EVF, a hot shoe, and manual mechanical controls. Read on to see how well this intriguing new model performs.

Utilising a 16Mp APS-C sensor, the Leica T is the first mirrorless hybrid option from the renowned German camera manufacturer. With a price tag of $1850 (body only), and lenses costing the same or more, it’s a serious investment for any photographer. So how does image quality on the Leica T stack up against the competition? Let’s analyze the DxOMark sensor scores to find out.

Sony has launched a new model in its RX range of high-end compacts. Boasting a new faster lens, built-in pop-up viewfinder and large 1”-type sensor, with a 20.1Mp resolution, is the new Sony RX100 III the ultimate point and shoot camera?

Sony has expanded its range of full-frame mirrorless cameras with the launch of the Sony A7S. Joining the Sony A7 and A7R, the new A7S offers a lower resolution 12.2Mp sensor with an ISO 50–409,600 sensitivity range, and breaks boundaries for video with its 4K/30p video footage output.

The highly configurable RED Epic Dragon is the latest version of the firm’s original Epic-M Digital Still and Motion Camera (DSMC). Although we are more used to analyzing still cameras at DxOMark, we’ve had a unique opportunity to assess RAW output from a prototype using all of our usual industry standard tests. As the results were extraordinary, we thought we would share the findings. Read on to find out how this high-performance sensor performs.

Street photography is an appealing genre for many photographers, and has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the proliferation of small high quality digital cameras and lenses. We’ve put together a concise round up of moderate wide-angle and telephoto lenses from each of the major camera systems. Read on to see which of the models we’ve chosen and what to expect from them in terms of image quality.

In less than a year the Nikon D610 replaces the hugely popular full frame 24mpix D600 and features a new, improved shutter mechanism and some minor improvements to the auto white balance system. Although the firm didn't announce any improvements to the sensor and imaging pipeline, we were intrigued enough to put it through our labs to find out.

Following the separate assessment of the modified sensor in Sony’s special edition RX1R high-end full-frame compact we’ve now analyzed its fixed focal length Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2,0/35 lens. Sony claim this new model has improved resolution and image sharpness but just how well does this fine-tuned combination perform?

Following on from the unexpected buzz surrounding the original RX1 full-frame compact from Sony with its fixed focal length Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens, the firm has now introduced a follow up with a modified sensor and image processing engine. Read on to find outhow well the new RX1R performs in our labs.

Released in April 2013, the Ricoh GR goes by the tagline of “Everything is big, except the size”. It points clearly to the raison d’être of this camera – to be a compact model with a large sensor with the aim of offering DSLR-like performance without the size and weight associated with them. As with several models in this niche, it seems to hark back to days gone by with a retro style. While this impacts the versatility of the camera, it’s much easier to make a high quality prime lens that can extract the most from the large, 16megapixel APS-C sensor tucked away inside. Within this sector we’ve seen some very good cameras through the labs in recent months, so the GR has got stiff competition.

Launched in March 2013 the $1097 Coolpix A is Nikon’s first compact camera with an APC-S sensor and features the same 16.2-megapixel DX sensor from Nikon’s D7000 DSLR but with its optical low-pass filter removed. Utilizing a fixed NIKKOR 18.5mm f/2.8 prime lens (equivalent to 28mm in 35mm terms) the Nikon Coolpix A has the right ingredients for great image quality so let’s see how it performs.

Announced at Photokina 2012 the new Leica M digital rangefinder camera is available for pre-order and expected to ship soon. Although the 4th rangefinder in the M range to feature a full frame sensor, Leica have changed from the previously used Truesense 18Mp CCD to a CMOSIS 24Mp CMOS model.With new features added too expectations are running high, so lets get under the hood and see what it has to offer.

Launched in September 2012 the Fujifilm XF1 is a fixed lens compact aimed at advanced enthusiasts after a pocket-sized second camera for holidays and photo day trips. Featuring customizable function buttons, creative exposure modes and a manual barrel zoom lens with a 25-100mm equivalent focal length, there’s plenty of control for serious photographers to sink their teeth into. What’s more with a 2/3-inch 12-megapixel EXR-CMOS Sensor at its heart we’re optimistic the $499 Fujifilm XF1 will deliver on picture quality, too.

The high-end Sony RX1 was one of the most eagerly awaited cameras in our labs and while we assessed the camera’s full-frame sensor early in January, we’ve decided to publish the results of the Zeiss-branded Sonnar 2/35 T* lens. Readers will already be aware that it’s fixed, and can’t be purchased separately, but we can test it just as we would any other, albeit on one camera body only. Is this “fast”, moderately wide-angle lens an outstanding performer worthy of the Carl Zeiss name? Read on to find out.

We said the RX1 was a brave step for Sony - a truly top-end product from a brand still establishing its photographic reputation at that level. And it's a gamble that pays-off to a great degree. The RX1 is much more than a brand-enhancing flagship that few people will ever get to use - it's also truly effective as a camera.

The new Sony RX1 offers discerning photographers the unique proposition of a full frame CMOS sensor and fixed 35mm f/2 prime lens in a compact shell. Perfect if you’re after great image quality without the bulk, weight and inconvenience of a large DSLR. But how will the RX1 perform in the DxOMark Sensor Scores?

Comments

RX1 Sonnar lens mid zone dip

Hi there,

I was wondering if you noticed a mild mid zone dip with the RX1 lens? I just got the cam and the lens seems to dip slightly about 1/3 out from the centre. I also find that the corners are sharper than this area....?

First replies for this comment

Re: RX1 Sonnar lens mid zone dip

Hello!

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

You can check the sharpness measurement for the RX1 lens here:http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Camera-Lens-Database/Sony/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX1-Lens/%28camera%29/833/%28cameraname%29/SONY-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX1You are right, sharpness is lower at 1/3 of the field.

Sharpness at f2.0 vs f3.2

Hello,I like the RX1 a lot, but center sharpness gets A LOT better when stopping down from f2.0 to f2.8 or f3.2. At 100% view, this is fully field relevant: Details and sharpness at 2.0 are okay, from 3.2 they are brilliant. I must admit to be somewhat disappointed by that. Does this practical view fit to Your lab results (which are somewhat abstract to me), i.e. is that "perfectly normal" or did I get a bad copy ?

First replies for this comment

Re: Sharpness at f2.0 vs f3.2

Hello Martin,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

You are right but we would not say "a lot", as we measured a slight loss of sharpness at f/2.0 and we did not measure any significant difference between f/2.8 and f/4.To be convinced you should have a look to the acutance field map.

nice review

Thank you for the review. Looks to be a remarkable camera!

Though not really cross comparable, the Pentax K5 apsc dslr's measure an equally very healthy 14.3 EVS... until one can afford the sony the K5 is still pretty remarkable, especially for those like me on a budget.We live in a remarkable age to have so many great cameras and reviews at such an easy reach.

pentax and sony

DXO: What is selected for RX1's Transmission to decide it's SNR Score?

Hi!

I would like to know what is selected for RX1's Transmission Score to decide it's SNR.T = 2.1 or 2.0?

And if the above selection is not correct, RX1's SNR Score may be changed?(E.g. If the selected value is 2.0 and the real value is 2.1, the total amount of the light, which reaches to Sensor in real value, is about 10% lower than the selected value)

First replies for this comment

Re: DXO: What is selected for RX1's Transmission to decide it's SNR Score?

Hello!

Thanks for your comment.

You’re right regarding the potential bias. In the example you note, it could be close to 14% meaning less than ¼ of Stop. As we cannot measure the TStop on compact camera we decide to use the aperture, so in this case 2.0.

Re: DXO: How about the Lens on the RX1? Is it fully sharp on f2.0?

High ISO way better than Sony A99

What's up with the RX1 doing so much better than the A99 on the high ISO score? I thought they're supposed to have similar sensors but the RX1 seems to perform significantly better. Is that all chalked up to the A99's pellicle mirror?

Another mistake?

First it's saying that Sony uses BSI type image sensors in their dSLRs, (they don't, those are Exmor "R") and now the RX100 has an APS-C sensor? It doesn't. The RX100 uses a 1 inch sensor, like the Nikon 1 series.

First replies for this comment

Re: another fullframe camera review

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Sony/Cyber-shot-DSC-RX1">this page on the website</a></div>Where is XTrans sensor camera? why not testing them? all the major review sites has pubslished their reviews ages ago.

and you call yourself "Camera Sensor" Only Analysts/ Experts?

The first camera you should review is xpro1 last year!

Don't know what's wrong with you guys!!

Hi,The DxO mark team has answered to this question of their facebook page. Here it is :

Quote:

The Fuji X-Pro 1 and X-E1 sensor does not use a Bayer matrix, but rather a very different matrix whose pixels are arranged in rows of three colors — a technology called “X-Trans”, inspired by the naturally irregular distribution of silver halide crystals on film. As for the Fuji X10, XF1 and X-S1, they use a CMOS EXR sensor with yet another different arrangement.The demosaicing algorithms of DxOMark lab that allow it to analyse digital camera RAW photo files were designed to process the output of sensors using the Bayer matrix.Testing these five Fuji cameras would necessitate completely rewriting our demosaicing algorithms to enable them to process the data received from this different matrix. Although DxO Labs tries to respond to photographers’ requests to provide test for specific camera models, there are no plans for testing these five Fuji cameras in the short term.